Before I start this chapter I just want to thank those who reviewed:

demi-godesswriter, LCES, Reignashii (thanks for telling me what shadow was!), x-aiden-x, Aya45, Kiorru-dono
Before anyone asks, this is a repost, I rewrote the original chapters 'cause I wasn't satisfied with them. Well on with the chapter!

"Speech"
'thoughts'
Battousai speaking

Chapter Two: Decisions

"What?" she said in a shocked voice, her eyes hardening.

"We need you to summon Kage back to us. She's our only hope in this battle."

"No," she said as she stood and walked to the shoji door that led outside to his personal garden to open it.

"I'm not giving you a choice Kaoru-"

"I don't care." She said while sliding the shoji open to allow the cool night air to waft in. "I told you twelve years ago I would not summon her back after the war and I meant it."

"We need her Kaoru, she's the only hope and even Akio admits that we need her." This made Kaoru look over her shoulder through narrowed eyes. As if she was gauging him for truth, when she turned back she snorted faintly.

"Akio may be an uncle to me and my master, but I will not be tricked into this twice in my life." She heard the growl from her uncle and knew something else was amiss. "You're not dying are you?" The startled gasp she heard brought a grin to her lips as she bowed her head in the breeze. "You should have known better uncle; I spent too long training and watching Akio to not know." The deep, tired sigh her uncle gave made her turn to look at him while bracing her weight against the door frame.

"Kaoru, you were our last hope, and still are, I knew if I summoned you as the head of the family you wouldn't come. I am sorry to lie in a fashion of a way, but I will die as will the rest of this town if you do not summon Kage." She glared at him through narrow slits for sapphire eyes.

"Your trump card I'm betting," she muttered darkly, "You knew the minute you mentioned innocent lives I would come running. I hate you and Akio for the heart you raised me with." She bowed stiffly and turned to leave through the open door way. "But I'm not the same woman I was then, I'll leave in the morning; good night." With that said she left the room and walked along the covered walk way to the room she knew was reserved for her.

She sighed dejectedly as she slid open the shoji to reveal the turned down futon and blankets, the walls carefully decorated with scenic scrolls. Her old room from her youth where she would lie awake at night wondering how long until the war ended. Where she and Kage would talk until the sun rose above the distant mountains. 'Those were the days,' she thought after closing the door.

She slid out of her family kimono, slipped on a simple white yukata and crawled into her old bed. 'I wonder how everyone is back home? I hope they didn't get too angry when they found me gone.' She thought while drifting off to sleep not caring that she missed dinner and that only a few rooms away her uncles and aunt were talking about her.

Kenshin woke to the normal silence of the morning, but something was off; out of place. He lifted himself from his futon and reached for his sword to secure it to his side. Once certain everything in his room was in its proper place he set about checking all the rooms where everyone slept. No he was not a pervert or a hentai, but he did worry. Yahiko was still deep asleep which was slightly odd; normally the boy was awake about the same time as him.

This meant that what was off was Kaoru over sleeping. Which when she was stressed or upset she was prone to do. He would just have to be nice while waking her up for breakfast. With that decided he retreated to the kitchen to cook.

I doubt she's even in there you baka, Kenshin groaned and tried to ignore his other half. A half which had strangely become more vocal since the last of his opponents had left him alone. 'She practically told us how much she dreaded this trip last night, sessha can only respect her decision to sleep in and leave her be; that I can.' Would you listen to yourself? In the waking world you are a complete idiot and simpleton, yet in your sleep you make me proud to be a part of you. Kenshin felt his cheeks flush and he bit the inside of his mouth when the hitoriki pulled out some images from his dreams.

'Stop that, sessha would never think that way of Kaoru-dono. Those are all your doing!' he almost yelled in his mind. An image of Battousai shaking his head came to the fore front of Kenshin's mind. No I did not, those dear baka rurounin, are all you. Kenshin's hand stilled while chopping vegetables for the miso soup.

"Mornin' Kenshin, what's up? Missy and Yahiko have another fight? That why it's so quite 'round here?" Sano's voice brought him out of his thoughts and he returned to chopping.

"Good morning Sano," he said with out looking over his shoulder to the taller man, "Kaoru-dono and Yahiko-san are still a bed." Sano next words stopped him cold.

"That's funny I thought I saw little missy passing through town with her travel bag this morning."

"What?" Kenshin set down the knife and turned to Sano, a curious look to his violet eyes.

"You heard me; I think she was headed for the train station." Kenshin flew from the kitchen and to Kaoru's bedroom door. 'She left with out saying good bye?' was his only thought as he pushed the door to the side.

Her room was clean and her futon rolled up neatly. A note set atop the futon, which he grabbed in haste and skimmed, then reread in a calmer pace.

Kenshin,

I know it will be you to find this first. So I thought I should tell you that I am sorry I will be missing one of your delicious meals and possibly several depending on what my uncle wants. Please do not worry about me, I will return as soon as I can.

Truly,

Kaoru

P.S. Don't be mad for my leaving like I did, I knew one of you would beg to follow me and its best that you don't. This is a personal, family matter.

'See, I told you she would not appreciate us following her,' the hitoriki in him growled and made him reread the note a few more times. I think she is hiding something…. Battousai made him reread the note yet again and growled from the depths of his mind. Why would she ask us not to worry about her if she was going to a safe destination? 'I'm not sure,' Kenshin thought as he looked around Kaoru's room for some form of a clue. What's more is why would say that it was best if we left her alone? She knows that she belongs to me! 'Us, and again I'm not sure,' Kenshin sighed as Battousai went off on one of his possession rants and left Kaoru's room to make breakfast. He needed to speak to Tae. The woman knew something that she wasn't telling and Kenshin was determined to find out just what it was she was hiding.

Kenshin could feel his darker half pacing within him, like a tiger waiting to pounce. He knew that Battousai would listen closely to the conversation and detect the hidden layers. That's what worried him more than anything else. If at any point Kenshin couldn't hold his other half in check, it would scare Tae within a moment of fainting. He sighed deeply as he stood outside the clam Akabeko's doors.

"…how long do you think….."

"Not sure….Shin seemed desperate for….I'm worried," he heard snips of two voices, one male and the other female. Tae and Genzai his counter part stated somewhat calmly. Get in there now and find out, but don't let them know you're here. 'Yes I know,' Kenshin thought as he stealthily crept in the entrance and moved to where he could hear them over the voices of the few customers after the morning rush.

"I want to see her safe and sound back here in Tokyo," Genzai muttered and sipped a cup of tea. Tae sat across from him wringing her hands in a worried fashion; her normally happy eyes were clear and full of worry. She nodded sharply and sighed.

"It feels just like during the Bakamatsu, always wondering when she would return or if she would. I hate this feeling Shu, I was raised with her, she is practically my sister and yet…Oh I don't know any more. I just want her home safe and sound." He could hear her voice struggling not to crack under the pressure of tears.

"What exactly did Shin tell you?" Again Tae sighed and sat up right to stare at the older man.

"He said that he may need to call me to the front if she refuses to cooperate and summon Kage. She is the only one who can after all. He's too afraid of Kage to even think of it himself." She paused to think about something and shook her head slowly. "I don't know how much help I would be in the fight or to persuade her to call for help. I'm so rusty I don't know if I can even hold my kunai any more," Kenshin felt shock course through both him and Battousai as they listened to the meek restaurant owner. "I gave her one of my blades to protect her self and remind her that we're always here." Kenshin couldn't take this any more, he had a bad feeling that his beloved was in danger and it was because of this uncle of hers, and Kage.

He stepped from the shadows, making Tae jump and Genzai turned to him with wide eyes. He leashed his desire to wring them for better details and stared at Tae.

"Where is she?"

"Kenshin-san, what a pleasant surprise," he cut her off as he sat between the both on one side of the table.

"I heard what you were talking about. Now where is Kaoru?" Tae sighed and looked to Genzai who nodded and she opened her mouth to speak. But no words came from her lips as her mouth open and closed. "Tae, I'm serious." He allowed a little of the gold to gleam in his eyes making her gasp.

"Yosaka," was her breathy reply. The city was one he had heard of and passed through during the war, but had not stayed long. It was Kage's only territory and he had not wanted to cross any boundaries from one assassin to another. Even if they were bitter enemies and rivals, one did not insult another without punishment. He nodded and moved to rise, but hand on his arm stopped him. He looked down to see it was Tae; she had over come her fear and was staring at him with determination. "If you intend to go, then I will help you so long as she comes back whole. Kaoru means a great deal to us more than you will ever realize." He nodded and removed her hand but Genzai's voice stopped him.

"She'll be different than what you're used to Himura-san. Don't cross her temper." He nodded and looked to Tae as he bowed, only to find she had risen from her place and removed her normal apron and set it on the table.

"Tsubame, mind the restaurant, I'll be gone only a short time." Her words short and simple to the young girl, she walked out the door with Kenshin hot on her heels. "There is something I need for you to take to her. Knowing her, she left it behind when she may need it."

"And what is this?" Tae seemed to wince at his voice when he deepened an octave. But she sighed and used her right hand to rub her temple slightly as they walked at a brisk pace.

"Her father's sword." Kenshin eyed the woman before him and noticed her stiff posture as she walked. Almost as if she was irritated at him or someone else, maybe herself. Of course she is baka. We forced her to tell us something she held no desire to share. Kenshin could tell the hitoriki was grinning as he walked behind Tae. He sighed inwardly so as not to attract her attention and let her remain focused on their destination.

"Hey Kenshin," called Sano's voice from behind him and made him look over his shoulder to the former gangster. Sano slapped a hand on his shoulder once he caught up with the two who were still walking. "Where were you? Yahiko walked into breakfast this morning and neither you nor Jou-chan showed up. We went to find ya but both you and her were just gone." Kenshin smiled at him in apology and opened his mouth to explain when Tae cut him off.

"Himura-san had come to the Akabeko this morning to speak with me about some matters in the kitchen since Kaoru will be gone for the next few days." Sano looked ahead of them as if just noticing the woman and looked confused. A grin broke out across his lips as they walked in the gate of the Kamiya Dojo.

"Well I'll be damned; she did give you the slip didn't she?" Sano said turning back to Kenshin of who frowned. He laughed and smacked the smaller man on the back. "Oh man, I never thought I'd see the day that missy got one up on you Kenshin!" Kenshin and Tae left him at the gate laughing and continued to Kaoru's room where Tae smoothly slid the door open and dropped to the floor before Kaoru's futon that was still rolled up.

"Please close the door Kenshin and remain outside I have to remember where she hid it," he silently obeyed and leaned against the wall next to the door. You shouldn't be sitting here…You should be in there see what else our beloved has hidden from us. 'No, its Kaoru's personal space and Tae has known her for most of her life. She has a right to be in there, not us.'

'Forgive me for this Kaoru and you as well Kage,' Tae thought as she lifted up three floor boards under the futon and pulled up a sword wrapped in black silk. She sighed and reached back in yet again and pulled out a brown leather bag. A black dragon stitched in the worn material. Kaoru's father used the bag to travel in his youth and had given it to his only daughter; along with the sword that rested by Tae's legs. 'Why didn't you take the bag Kaoru?' Tae shook her head and replaced the boards with care so that it looked as if they had never been moved. She stood, lifted both objects in her arms and turned to open the door. After sliding it aside she turned to face Kenshin who was staring across the yard with a blank expression. She shivered slightly, remembering when Kage had come around that's all she had ever seen from the warrior.

"Kenshin? Here is the sword and one more thing I thought about. It's Kamiya-sama's old travel bag, I packed her a gi and hakama and some bindings for her chest so she can train while there. It seems she forgot to pack them herself." He seemed to contemplate her answer for a moment and then grabbed the bag and sword. "One more thing though Kenshin, do not open the wrappings on the sword,"

"Why?"

"Because only a member of the Kamiya clan is permitted to handle the actual sword. If anyone else was to touch it, it would be seen as a dishonor. And I know you do not wish to see her dishonored, do you Kenshin?" Her words were meant more as a statement, but he understood her as his eyes flashed golden for a moment.

"I will see to it that no one touches it." He said and turned to walk to his room, he needed to pack a light bag and be on his way. The trip to Yosaka would be a long one, with out the train at least four days. But he had managed to earn some petty cash and would spend that to get a ticket to the closest city and walk from there. He sighed as he heard Tae's quiet steps halt at his door. He looked up at her and noticed her fighting her tears. She held out a piece of parchment to him and he took it to find a few sets of numbers on it.

"Use that account and draw out the amount you'll need for the ticket, if you need to draw out enough for Yahiko and Sano as well." She held up a hand to stop him when his mouth opened to protest. "The second line will tell the teller who gave you permission to take from the account and don't worry about repaying it. Consider it a gift for helping."

"Helping with what Tae-dono?" She laughed through the tears she was fighting, making her voice sound raspy and harsh.

"Why, for helping to bring back our little Kaoru silly rurounin."

"So do you think Jou-chan will appreciate us showing up at her door like this," asked Sano as he adjusted the bag on his shoulder while the small group of males waited for the train to arrive. Kenshin shook his head slightly with a sigh and looked to both of them. He hadn't told them what he heard and merely told them to pack lightly for a small trip to Yosaka.

"Most likely she won't, that she will not, but I have a bad feeling about this 'trip' of hers to see her uncle." Yahiko nodded and looked around them, his eyes showing he was watching for something. He was most likely watching for pickpockets to keep them from stealing the meager amount of money they had between the three of them. Battousai grinned proudly as they watched the boy. 'You should calm down, that you should,' his thoughts scolded the hitoriki as his pride with the boy climbed to new levels. Why? The boy is becoming a man; he's learning to be wary of the dangers in the world. 'There are no real dangers anymore, that there is not. The bakamatsu saw to that.' Think what you will you fool. With that Battousai settled down and left Kenshin be to think of how to explain their presence to Kaoru when they reached Yosaka.

The whistle of the train and Sano saying they could board never once made him leave his thoughts. Only after they were seated and the train pulled out of the station did he even notice his surroundings. He sighed and looked to his companions.

Yahiko was getting up and muttered something about boredom and Sano was for once sitting calmly in his seat and staring at him with a serious look.

"What is the matter Sano?"

"What did you find out from Tae for real?" the gangster's tone left no room for argument and he sighed. "Tell me Kenshin I have a right to know, she is a kid sister to me." Kenshin glanced at him and took in his straight backed form and arms crossed over his chest in a foreboding manner.

"You will not like it, that you will not."

"I don't care. Tell me."

"I happened to hear from Tae-dono and Genzai that they were worried about Kaoru-dono. Apparently Kaoru-dono's uncle also sent Tae-dono a letter saying he would send for her if Kaoru-dono didn't cooperate with him. That he had summoned her for a purpose and that was to summon their guardian from hiding. Tae said that our Kaoru is the only one who can and that he is too afraid to even think of it himself." Sano whistled and looked out the window with a worried look that made his brown eyes darken slightly. Kenshin inwardly sighed; he knew that if he hadn't told Sano or someone soon, he'd have gone crazy. But it was better that Yahiko didn't know, he would have over reacted and right now they needed to stay calm.

"So basically Jo-chan walked into a trap set by her family, to protect themselves from something outside their numbers?" Kenshin nodded and looked back out the window to the land zipping by and sighed.

"She had seemed aggravated last night when I spoke with her about her uncle. She had said something about not trusting his motives, but that she did not have a choice but to answer. That she did not, it was a formal request made by him as the head of the family." Sano nodded. He may have been an orphan but he did understand the rolls of the various family members. After all Kaoru had formed this little family and she was the head of it in a way.

"So what's with the stuff sitting with yours? I've never seen it before." Sano asked indicating the extra sword and bag sitting with his things above their heads.

"It's Kaoru-dono's, Tae-dono thought she may need these." Again Sano nodded and instead of asking more questions, he closed his eyes and tried to relax. The gangster fell into a light slumber leaving Kenshin to his thoughts. What will we do about Kage? 'Sessha does not know, Kaoru seemed to trust him deeply. Perhaps we shall let go of the past and make peace?' The snort from the hitoriki was what the rurounin had been expecting, but the sigh of agreement was not. Perhaps you are right for once; the last thing I desire is to see our Koishii angry with us for something like that. He paused and continued with anger in his voice. Even if it is vengeance for the mockery he made of us, to see his blood run cold as we kill him. Kenshin sighed and rubbed his temples as he turned his gaze to the window next to him.

The journey was full of questions that he knew would not be answered until he reached Kaoru. He desperately wanted to hold her close right now, to smell the gentle smell of sakura blossoms and spring rain, just to see her all right.

Looking out the window he realized it would be after sunrise before they could reach Yosaka. The roads were not safe to travel at night so they'd have to stay in Shiru for the night. He would need all the energy he could muster to deal with Kaoru when she's angry, and only the kami knew how mad she would be with him. His sight shifted from the window up to the bag that Tae had given him. Kenshin had questioned Tae packing a hakama and gi; wouldn't Kaoru have thought of that stuff before she left? What made Tae so certain that his beloved had forgotten them? Even Genzai's words puzzled him, '"She'll be different than what you're used to Himura-san. Don't cross her temper."' His Kaoru different, how could she be any different than normal? Maybe they were talking about the tension her family would create in her, shortening her temper even more than normal. He didn't know and right now he didn't care to, he only wanted to get to Shiru and then to Yosaka.

It was Yahiko's voice that finally dragged Kenshin to the surface of his thoughts and found the boy and ex-gangster staring at him. He asked them what was wrong and they said that his eyes were flashing gold every few minutes. 'Would you quit?' he yelled in his mind while telling his companions not to worry. Well you seemed content to wander away, and leave us defenseless you fool. Someone had to do something. Said the hitoriki rather calmly, despite the emotions that were bubbling at the surface due to his rival's interference in the life of his Kaoru. Kenshin sighed deeply as Yahiko told him that they were due to arrive in Shiru shortly. The conductor had been slightly afraid to near the trio upon seeing Kenshin's eyes flash gold.

"We will have to find a place to rest within Shiru for the night," Sano just leveled the shorter man with a questioning gaze and found that Yahiko would serve as his voice.

"Why the hell would we do that?"

"Because Yahiko, the road to Yosaka is not safe during the night hours, to anyone and we will need all the strength we can gather for tomorrow."

"Oh Busu won't be that much trouble, we'll just grab her and get home." Yahiko said so confidently that Kenshin wished he was the boy for a moment. Kenshin shook his head and stood as the conductor yelled off the stop from somewhere near by.

"I think it would be wise to rest, that I do." He said looking to Sano for support only to find the man shaking his head.

"I'm with the boy, 'sides what are the chances of three traveling males will find a place to rest? Three normal guys yeah, Kenshin, your carrying two swords and Yahiko's got his bokken and I'm a fighter by trade." Sadly Sano had a point that Kenshin had neglected to think of. I guess we'll listen to the rooster this once grumbled the inner warrior as Kenshin sighed and nodded his head in agreement.

Once off the train the trio set off down the road to Yosaka with words of warning from the few townspeople that saw them walk by. They heeded the warnings and continued on their way with the little bit of sunlight left to the day. Kenshin figure they had actually made it a third of the way down the road before Yahiko got too tired to go any further. Kenshin and Sano would have preferred to keep walking at the point in the night that was. Yet Yahiko managed to convince them to rest for the night and pick it up at dawn. The boy was getting more and more clever in his years, perhaps it was due to too much time around Misao.

They found a small clearing ten or so feet from the road and dropped to the ground to rest, not wanting to waste time and energy on a fire. Yahiko fell asleep quickly leaving Sano and Kenshin to themselves.

"So, just what kind of things will we need to be ready for?" Sano asked quietly, Kenshin shrugged.

"Normal stuff I guess, last time I came through here it was during the Bakamatsu and this was Kage's territory so I merely passed through quick and quite."

"Kage's territory? Jo-chan's family home is in Kage's territory?" Sano looked at him shocked, "Why didn't you tell me that before?" Again the rurounin shrugged and looked over to where Yahiko lay.

"Kage and I were enemies and yet I held respect for him, the stories told of him were that he only fought within his region. But that was after the three years he had wandered and the killings had seemed random, but he always left his trademark so we knew it was him."

"What was the actual trademark?"

"Well it was simple really; he always castrated the men and left a slash through their bellies that resembled a check mark. None of us knew why, but I was one of the few to face him and live. Several of my fellows fell to his blade, but by the time I faced him I was nearing the time that I eventually left the fight." Kenshin became silent as a memory surfaced from that fight.

"So Battousai, what brings you to me?" the soft voice rumbled through the shadows of the forest. He closed his eyes and gripped his katana to be prepared; Kage was not called the Shadow Killer for nothing. "Oh you're no fun, you know my secret," the voice said coming from a point directly in front of him. Battousai opened his golden eyes to stare in to a pair of eyes to match his own. "Again I ask what brings you here." Kage was calm; almost bored in tone, if he wasn't here on orders he would have enjoyed bantering with a fellow of his kind.

"I am here to set you straight on the boundaries of the territories. You crossed and killed one of our leaders." Kage laughed deeply, an almost soothing sound, at least it would have been if his voice was a little higher and he was a woman.

"I killed a man who crossed me," the dead pan voice shocked Battousai as he heard a layer of anger within the words. The battle had been short and simple, both had been wounded. It was just before Kage disappeared that he spoke again. "I envied you, but now I see how foolish you truly are. You are nothing but a dog." A kunai flew at his face distracting him long enough and Kage was gone.

He had searched and searched through the forest, but he never found Kage again. When he reported in he said that Kage had escaped but was mortally wounded. That had satisfied everyone and the odd thing was Kage never resurfaced again. That was twelve maybe thirteen years ago.

Kenshin looked up and found Sano dozing, he decided to leave him be and let him rest. The gangster and boy would need the rest more than him; his body was too tensed to sleep. The old wise tales had never set well with him in the days of the war, and they bothered him even more.

Tales that said how easy it was for a man to go missing in the mist of the trees never to be seen or heard from again, many believed that it was due to Kage. Believed that he took the men and tortured them slowly till they died. There were also tales of witchcraft and mystics within the ancient grounds, ones of which made some of the strongest stomachs turn. Bodies being turn inside out, men skinned alive by nothing but the winds, and his "favorite" how the men's bones were broken to dust without a single external wound to show it.

Kenshin knew his senses were not quite what they used to be, but even back in the old days he had refused to chance any odd encounters. His companions were the only reason he didn't just keep walking, especially the boy; nay young man. Yahiko was growing up and fast, it was only a few short years ago Kaoru and he found and rescued him from that pathetic gang.

Kaoru's lessons, though she was never there to see it, were beginning to take effect on Yahiko. He was improving daily with his bokken and though it was against the law and his own beliefs, Kenshin itched to give him a real blade. The former hitoriki had come to see him as his own son, and was his right as the boy's surrogate father to do things such as that. The other thing that Kenshin noticed was that though Yahiko insulted Kaoru, it was only during her moments of depression or when she tried to separate herself from the group. He was always the one to distract her from her problems and bring her to the present moment, whether she liked it or not.

The sunlight was a welcome sight to Kenshin and Sano, of who had awoke a few hours short of sunrise. The ex-gangster had jumped at the sound of a twig snapping beneath Kenshin's pacing feet. The two had remained awake and watched over Yahiko and their few belongings. They grinned at each other and Kenshin stood swiftly saying they needed to get moving.

Yahiko fought Kenshin about getting up, but the mention of food had the boy ten feet ahead of the two yelling for them to move their lazy behinds. Sano laughed and Kenshin shook his head as they marched on. Kenshin could feel Battousai within his mind; I guess the boy isn't as aware to his surroundings as I thought. 'Hai, but he is just a boy still, and it is safe enough now that he doesn't need to be.' Battousai was agreed and became silent once more, making the journey even more stressful to Kenshin.

"Wow," Yahiko's amazed gasp made Kenshin look up at the tall wall of stone looming before them. It was still about a half mile away, but Kenshin could see movement along the top of the wall and along the ground in front of it. "Is that Yosaka Kenshin?"

"Hai that was one of the only things that protected the town during the war that it was." Sano looked at him out of the corner of his eye with curiosity.

"And what were the others?"

"Hitoriki Kage." Sano stiffened slightly, and Yahiko turned around to look at them confused.

"Who is that?" Kenshin looked slightly shock at the boy's question but remembered where he grew up and Kage had all ready disappeared before he was born.

"Kage was known for his stealth more than anything. He was feared more than I was because you never knew he was there until his blade was upon you. At least that's how it started, but the last few years that he was in the war he restricted himself to this territory. I was sent here about twelve years ago to force him to the surface, only to find that he wanted nothing but to leave the war behind. It was thanks to him that I found myself wanting the same."

"You two fought?" Kenshin nodded, "Who won?"

"Neither of us, we called it a draw and went our separate ways," the boy seemed slightly disappointed but Sano chuckled and shook his head. "Now there is one thing you have to remember Yahiko, this is Kaoru-dono's family home. You have to treat her respectfully, so no calling her busu. This is still Kage's territory even though he's been missing for twelve years." Yahiko nodded solemnly as they neared the wall. The wooden doors had a simple design of a dragon at waiting, the crest of which Kage had bore during the war. The guards as Kenshin could now see were on alert; all were wearing armor and held their weapons at the ready. Two such guards stood in front of the gate doors themselves.

"Halt! State your business with the city herein," one guard commanded. Kenshin stepped forward from the group and kept his hand away from the blade.

"I am Himura Kenshin, an ally to Kamiya Kaoru, we were went by her companion Yukimura Tae to assist Kamiya-san in whatever way possible." The guards look skeptical about this and demanded proof that Tae had sent them. Kenshin reached in his gi and grabbed the kunai that Tae had handed him when they were at the train station. She had said nothing but smiled and walked away, now Kenshin knew why. It would have been impossible to explain with the other two present as they were. He showed the small dragon engraved blade to the guards, then showed them the bag that Tae had given him. Kenshin saw the guards' eyes widen and they yelled to open the gate.

"Now that's a response," mutter Sano behind him, Kenshin nodded as a young girl approached the guards. They whispered to her and she took off running down the crowded market road.

"Follow us," said the second guard gruffly to the trio once another pair of guards took their place. Kenshin, Yahiko, and Sano followed silently and watched as the market road cleared of the commotion. Silence fell which disturbed Kenshin, but not nearly as much as the sight of most of the men therein carrying swords. Even the women carried a weapon of some form.

The mansion at the end of the road startled the group with its size, 'that is her family house?' Oro! I don't remember the Kamiya's being this well off. 'Well no one ever really thought to check either.' Sano whistled softly and Yahiko's jaw dropped. At the top the stairs stood a woman, her dark brown hair was swept away from her face in a simple bun at the crown of her head. A simple pale green kimono with a darker green sakura petal pattern adorned her small frame. Her dark brown eyes stared down at the coldly, sending a chill through Kenshin's spine.

The young girl from the gate stood slightly behind the woman, peaking out at them. The woman tucked the girl behind her and whispered over her shoulder for her to go to her family. Quickly the girl ran off, taking a wide turn around the three males and down the stares back to the crowd.

"What business do you hold with me, Mr. Himura was it?" ice, that was the only way describe her tone.

"No," said Kenshin as he once more stepped forward to speak for the group, "We have business with Kaoru-dono. Tae-dono had sent us in her place to see to Kaoru-dono's safe return to Tokyo." If even possible the woman's glare became colder.

"Then perhaps you are no ally to not realize that Kamiya Kaoru stands before you now."

"That's impossible, Kaoru is darker in hair and skin, not to mention taller." Yahiko interrupted her with his angry outburst, for a moment Kenshin panicked thinking that they would never get near Kaoru. Yet the woman remained silent so Kenshin moved to make amends.

"Forgive the boy, but the Kaoru-dono we know is not you that we see. She is the fiery spirit that is the assistant master of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu."

"She is also a sister to us; hell we've fought alongside Jo-chan to protect her dojo and this family for years now. So please don't try to fool us, just bring Kaoru out here." Said Sano as he too stepped forward to try and persuade the woman who claimed to be their Kaoru.

Instead of throwing them from her doorstep, she smiled warmly and nodded her head to the guard who turned and walk down the stairs. She turn toward the house and walked within its walls. Turn after turn, confusing Kenshin and the others until she stopped before a simple set of shoji doors. The servants bowed to her and opened the doors for her. She moved forward again and to the head of a long table, the table of the Kamiya family.

Near the head of which she sat, Kaoru, his precious Kaoru. She was preoccupied arguing with the man who sat at the head of the table.

"I told you, you are not ill so I am returning to Tokyo today. Besides I am confidant that Akio can handle this matter on his own." She was loosing her temper; Kenshin had to grabbed and gag Yahiko to keep him from blurting out anything. He could see the fire in her eyes, but he could also feel something in the air. It felt familiar somehow, he just couldn't remember how.

"And I told you that we need you. Would you willing let this city, which your grandfather built with his own hands, crumble to nothing?" The man raised his voice bringing silence to the table, desperation clear in the lines of his aging face.

The woman who had brought them here knelt between the two and whispered to them, she pointed to the door where they were currently standing. Kaoru's head snapped up with what looked like painful speed to stare at them wide eyed. The man merely looked confused and slightly angered. Kaoru stood and moved toward them, a smile no where in sight.

"Kenshin, what are you three doing here?" Instead of saying a word, Kenshin handed her the bag that Tae had given him. Her expression turned grave as she asked him what he knew.

"Tae merely said you may need these, and asked that we see to your safe return home." Kenshin said softly, causing uproar from the man at the head of the table.

"While we appreciate you bringing these things, Kaoru is home and will not be leaving."

"I will do what I please Shin, Tokyo is my home and Tae has every right to want to know I'm all right." She growled at him darkly, bringing out that odd feeling in Kenshin again. It reminded him of his days in the war; when another hitoriki was near by.

Ok there is another chapter; I hope this was satisfactory for everyone. I'd like to get more than six reviews for the next chapter which I have finished and almost ready to post.

I know I'm a little blunt and skip time a little, but this isn't going to be a very long story, I don't really have the attention span to do long stories. Remember though, review, review, review, and you'll get another chapter!